Antique Cane Society – A History of the Walking Stick
A short history regarding the walking cane / walking stick and their many forms and usages.
Walking Sticks and their use go back to the dawn of time. Primitive man used a branch as an early tool or just for support and so the Staff or Rod came into being as a status symbol or as a defensive weapon.
An early mention, if somewhat circumstantial, can be found in the Old Testament's Book of Genesis where the story of Caine and Abel unfolds. Caine used a stick to kill his brother Abel.
In Egypt both the Pharaohs and the common man used the Stick or Staff for decoration, support and status. The stick's importance to the Egyptians extended from life even into death as exemplified by the legendary King Tutankhamun. 130 whole or partial sticks or staffs, were found in his tomb often thought left there to assist and protect him in the afterlife.
The Greeks and the Romans also used many devises as symbols of Rank and the Sceptre came to be used by judges, military leaders, priests and others in authority. It is represented on painted vases as a long staff tipped with a metal ornament. When the sceptre is borne by Zeus or Hades, it is headed by a bird. It was this symbol of Zeus, the father of Olympus that gave their inviolable status to the kerykes, the heralds, who were thus protected by the precursor of modern diplomatic immunity. When, in the Iliad Agamemnon sends Odysseus to the leaders of the Achaeans, he lends him his sceptre.
Later on in history we find other mentions of sticks
Marco Polo is reputed to have bought back silkworms hidden in a hollowed out stick
Henry Viii’s inventory listed many walking sticks and staffs
The Eltham Ordinance of January 1526 listed 8 canes in Henry viii collection
Bishops croziers and staffs of office date back to early medieval times
And even up to more modern times, we have Winston Churchill who had an impressive collection of canes
Indeed man has used a Staff, Truncheon, Night-stick, Swords, Sceptres, Clubs etc., as weapons, or badges both of Trade, Work, Faith, Office, Authority, Status, or more practically just to aid his travels or a means of extra support due to sickness and advancing years.
The Golden Era - from 17th Century to Today
The purpose of walking sticks and canes as an aid to mobility is a fairly modern idea.
In centuries past, well-heeled gentlemen, and ladies too, were seldom seen without a walking stick or cane in hand. Unlike today, sticks of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, served as symbols of wealth, power, symbol of allegiances and social stature. They were much more a fashion accessory than walking aide. Later in Georgian times up to the Edwardian era, they also became – Novelties, Multipurpose gadget canes defensive and offensive weapons
From 17th Century Walking Canes became fashionable with gold handles and tassels. Men posed with their canes as can be seen in their portraits and by 18th century the cane evolve into more elaborate and excessive, forms, producing highly decorative cane designs.
The Victorians however saw the walking cane as a clothing and fashion accessory. Then being a part of a gentleman’s proper attire. With the coming of the Industrial Revolution and the emergence of the new middle class they showed off their wealth through the sporting of richly decorative walking canes. Canes therefore became a status symbol to gauge both an individual’s wealth and status.
The Industrial Revolution led to mass production of canes on an industrial scale. Specialty canes were designed and the leading silversmiths, jewellers and artisans of the 19th century also designed exclusive canes for the elite.
Henry Howard & Co. with the original Howell shop being established at 76 Aldersgate in London in 1832 selling high-class hosiery and a variety of fashion accessories - including walking canes. In 1859, Henry Howell left the family shop and established a cane merchandising business, manufacturing walking sticks for the wholesale market under his own name, on Old Street in London in a building formerly occupied by James Thomas Ackerman, a long time manufacturer of walking sticks, parasols, and umbrellas. Henry Howell & Company quickly grew to become one of the world’s leaders in the production of high quality walking sticks.
By 1895, Henry Howell & Co. employed 460 people and declared itself the largest single manufacturer of walking sticks in the world. Such was the quality of the work that, in 1900, the company was awarded the Grand Prix at the Paris Industrial Exhibition. In 1893 they produced 1.5 million walking sticks!
Cane Manufacturers established outlets in London, Paris and Vienna, with some 60 Walking Cane Shops in London alone. There were canes made by Tiffany in America, Thomas Brigg and Sons, Magasin Antoine of Paris, the Meyers family from Hamburg and Berlin, and all major porcelain houses of the time including Meissen. While Faberge in Russia was also famous for its walking canes made of jade and quartz.
These commercial outlets catered to the elite in society and the canes were embellished with precious stones like diamonds and had enamel collars designed by artisans. It became more of an art form, with artists designing canes and seamen carving unique scrimshaw walking canes from whalebone.
Famous Personalities wore and collected Walking Canes, with Queen Victoria and Albert having an impressive collection. Napoleon Bonaparte, Frederick the Great, Marquis de Lafayeete and President George Washington were also seen with canes. Actors and the literary circles, of Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw also sported and collected canes.
However by the 20th century there was a decline with the trend for walking canes as a fashion accessory losing popularity as a fashion and status statement. Now the Walking Canes are more likely to be used as a physical aid for people with ill health or in old age. Never the less it is the Walkers, Hikers and Climbers still make use of the cane as an aid..
Now In the 21st Century antique, decorative, system and defence canes are collector’s items, selling often for very high prices even up to and above £45,000.
This makes collecting antique walking canes an interesting and absorbing hobby, that can appeal to many interested in the history, the use and the diversity of man’s fascination with walking canes as a fashion Icon, a status symbol, a defensive Weapon and a humble supporting tool.
Antique Cane Society
For all who are interested in the collection, conservation, study or use of Antique & Vintage Waking Canes
“Beware of the man who will not engage in idle conversation; he is planning to steal your walking stick or water your stock.”
William Emerson quotes
A short history regarding the walking cane / walking stick and their many forms and usages.
Walking Sticks and their use go back to the dawn of time. Primitive man used a branch as an early tool or just for support and so the Staff or Rod came into being as a status symbol or as a defensive weapon.
An early mention, if somewhat circumstantial, can be found in the Old Testament's Book of Genesis where the story of Caine and Abel unfolds. Caine used a stick to kill his brother Abel.
In Egypt both the Pharaohs and the common man used the Stick or Staff for decoration, support and status. The stick's importance to the Egyptians extended from life even into death as exemplified by the legendary King Tutankhamun. 130 whole or partial sticks or staffs, were found in his tomb often thought left there to assist and protect him in the afterlife.
The Greeks and the Romans also used many devises as symbols of Rank and the Sceptre came to be used by judges, military leaders, priests and others in authority. It is represented on painted vases as a long staff tipped with a metal ornament. When the sceptre is borne by Zeus or Hades, it is headed by a bird. It was this symbol of Zeus, the father of Olympus that gave their inviolable status to the kerykes, the heralds, who were thus protected by the precursor of modern diplomatic immunity. When, in the Iliad Agamemnon sends Odysseus to the leaders of the Achaeans, he lends him his sceptre.
Later on in history we find other mentions of sticks
Marco Polo is reputed to have bought back silkworms hidden in a hollowed out stick
Henry Viii’s inventory listed many walking sticks and staffs
The Eltham Ordinance of January 1526 listed 8 canes in Henry viii collection
Bishops croziers and staffs of office date back to early medieval times
And even up to more modern times, we have Winston Churchill who had an impressive collection of canes
Indeed man has used a Staff, Truncheon, Night-stick, Swords, Sceptres, Clubs etc., as weapons, or badges both of Trade, Work, Faith, Office, Authority, Status, or more practically just to aid his travels or a means of extra support due to sickness and advancing years.
The Golden Era - from 17th Century to Today
The purpose of walking sticks and canes as an aid to mobility is a fairly modern idea.
In centuries past, well-heeled gentlemen, and ladies too, were seldom seen without a walking stick or cane in hand. Unlike today, sticks of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, served as symbols of wealth, power, symbol of allegiances and social stature. They were much more a fashion accessory than walking aide. Later in Georgian times up to the Edwardian era, they also became – Novelties, Multipurpose gadget canes defensive and offensive weapons
From 17th Century Walking Canes became fashionable with gold handles and tassels. Men posed with their canes as can be seen in their portraits and by 18th century the cane evolve into more elaborate and excessive, forms, producing highly decorative cane designs.
The Victorians however saw the walking cane as a clothing and fashion accessory. Then being a part of a gentleman’s proper attire. With the coming of the Industrial Revolution and the emergence of the new middle class they showed off their wealth through the sporting of richly decorative walking canes. Canes therefore became a status symbol to gauge both an individual’s wealth and status.
The Industrial Revolution led to mass production of canes on an industrial scale. Specialty canes were designed and the leading silversmiths, jewellers and artisans of the 19th century also designed exclusive canes for the elite.
Henry Howard & Co. with the original Howell shop being established at 76 Aldersgate in London in 1832 selling high-class hosiery and a variety of fashion accessories - including walking canes. In 1859, Henry Howell left the family shop and established a cane merchandising business, manufacturing walking sticks for the wholesale market under his own name, on Old Street in London in a building formerly occupied by James Thomas Ackerman, a long time manufacturer of walking sticks, parasols, and umbrellas. Henry Howell & Company quickly grew to become one of the world’s leaders in the production of high quality walking sticks.
By 1895, Henry Howell & Co. employed 460 people and declared itself the largest single manufacturer of walking sticks in the world. Such was the quality of the work that, in 1900, the company was awarded the Grand Prix at the Paris Industrial Exhibition. In 1893 they produced 1.5 million walking sticks!
Cane Manufacturers established outlets in London, Paris and Vienna, with some 60 Walking Cane Shops in London alone. There were canes made by Tiffany in America, Thomas Brigg and Sons, Magasin Antoine of Paris, the Meyers family from Hamburg and Berlin, and all major porcelain houses of the time including Meissen. While Faberge in Russia was also famous for its walking canes made of jade and quartz.
These commercial outlets catered to the elite in society and the canes were embellished with precious stones like diamonds and had enamel collars designed by artisans. It became more of an art form, with artists designing canes and seamen carving unique scrimshaw walking canes from whalebone.
Famous Personalities wore and collected Walking Canes, with Queen Victoria and Albert having an impressive collection. Napoleon Bonaparte, Frederick the Great, Marquis de Lafayeete and President George Washington were also seen with canes. Actors and the literary circles, of Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw also sported and collected canes.
However by the 20th century there was a decline with the trend for walking canes as a fashion accessory losing popularity as a fashion and status statement. Now the Walking Canes are more likely to be used as a physical aid for people with ill health or in old age. Never the less it is the Walkers, Hikers and Climbers still make use of the cane as an aid..
Now In the 21st Century antique, decorative, system and defence canes are collector’s items, selling often for very high prices even up to and above £45,000.
This makes collecting antique walking canes an interesting and absorbing hobby, that can appeal to many interested in the history, the use and the diversity of man’s fascination with walking canes as a fashion Icon, a status symbol, a defensive Weapon and a humble supporting tool.
Antique Cane Society
For all who are interested in the collection, conservation, study or use of Antique & Vintage Waking Canes
“Beware of the man who will not engage in idle conversation; he is planning to steal your walking stick or water your stock.”
William Emerson quotes